Herc Says FX’s JUSTIFIED Is The Best New Show Of The Season!!

I am – Hercules!!
A dark, funny western expertly disguised as a contemporary cop show, “Justified” is crazy great, up there with “Get Shorty,” “Jackie Brown” and “Out of Sight” as one of the best adaptations of an Elmore Leonard story ever. (Which is saying something.)
Flying bullets and car chases and sudden violent death complement its dry wit and platoon of embraceable characters, and it should attract quite a few viewers who followed FX’s “The Shield” and “Sons of Anarchy” every week, and I suspect quite a few viewers who are not fans of those shows. Three episodes in, I think it may be the best current TV drama not titled “Mad Men.”
Adapted by screenwriter Graham Yost (“Speed,” “Boomtown”), it offers in its central character, deputy U.S. marshal Raylan Givens (“Deadwood” vet Tim Olyphant), one of television’s most entertaining presences and one of its all-time biggest badasses, one surrounded by wealth of equally amusing characters, a lot of them highly likeable, all of them highly watchable. The Stetson-sporting Givens may look like “Deadwood” lawman Seth Bullock, but he’s a whole lot more fun. In fact, you might have to go all the way back to “Twin Peaks” and FBI special agent Dale Cooper to find a TV cop as fun as Givens. (I almost want to call “Justified” the best cop show since “Twin Peaks,” but HBO’s “The Wire” gets in the way.)
The series begins in Givens’ home base of sunny Miami, where, amid a sea of bikinis, he manages to find some non-frontier justice that does not sit well with his superiors. As punishment, he’s reassigned to Lexington, Ky., the place from whence he came and a place to which he clearly does not wish to return.
The reassignment puts Givens in proximity of deadly local hillbilly white-supremacist criminal mastermind Boyd Crowder (“The Sheild” vet Walton Goggins), who mined coal next to Givens before they both went on to bigger things. The two enjoy a relationship that reminds me more than a little of De Niro and Pacino in “Heat.” I won’t give away here how their encounter in the pilot ends, but I will say the fallout will likely follow Givens at least to the end of its first season.
The second episode, also scripted by Yost but not based on a Leonard story, contains a nod to the events depicted in the pilot but is mostly its own thing, and just as good. A third episode, not written by Yost but starring Yost’s old “Speed” associate Alan Ruck, takes Givens out west to Los Angeles and feels like a really good R-rated episode of “The Rockford Files.”
I love that the bad guys Givens chases are seldom purely louts, and some of them are actually pretty swell. In the pilot I particularly liked Givens’ murderous ex-neighbor Ava (Joelle Carter), whose introduction is both wonderfully revealing and hilarious, like something out of a Tarantino movie. Happily we’ll be seeing more of her as the series soldiers on.
As soon as the previews for next week’s “Lost” leave your screen, I implore you to ignore that hour-long “FlashForward” clip package and just flip over to FX. “Justified” is some arresting television.
Time Magazine says:

… terrific new drama … Dark streaks aside, Justified is also, as you'd expect from Leonard (and writer Graham Yost, formerly of Boomtown), a funny show, with taut dialogue and a distinct sense of place. Its supporting characters are a riot of wiseass agents, sardonic thieves and big- and small-time hustlers. …

… I knew from this moment on that I'd kinda fallen in love with a new TV show. … in the end, it comes down to hard stares and that combination of drawled amusement and sudden violence that make him so cool yet exciting. As Boyd says to our hero, ''I know you like to shoot bad people.'' And damned if you don't want to watch Raylan do that.

… a fantastically entertaining instant classic. … This is the best new series, network or cable, of the midseason. An immediately addictive brew of action, suspense and wry humor, the show is grounded in Olyphant’s low-key but high-impact star-making performance, the work of a confident and cunning leading man who’s always good company. Edgy and adult, yet considerably less dark (as in gloomy) and twisted than many of FX’s breakout shows, Justified could be the network’s most broadly accessible entertainment yet. Having seen three of the first four episodes, I am hooked on this must-see series. There’s no justification for missing it.

… The dialogue sometimes has a snap that’s rare, or let’s just say nonexistent, in prime time. … the funny parts are worth waiting for, like the guest appearance by Clarence Williams III — who played a bad guy in one of the better Leonard adaptations, “52 Pick-Up” — as an ornery Vietnam vet who delivers a wickedly offensive tirade to two young male cops. …

… as played by Timothy Olyphant, Givens is a charmer, no doubt about that. And if the damaged antihero is beginning to wear out his welcome, Olyphant makes "Justified," which premieres Tuesday, a fine and upstanding addition to FX's gallery of mangled mavericks. …

… This deeply enjoyable show arrives fully formed and well aware of where its many strengths lie. The shaggily delightful dialogue, the deft pacing, the authentic sense of place, the rock-solid supporting cast and the feeling that you are in the hands of writers, actors and directors who really know what they're doing -- all of these are worthy reasons to watch "Justified," which I suppose is a drama, but it seems wrong to hang that weighty word on this wry, supple show. …

… Givens does look darn good in his jeans and his spotless, cocky cowboy hat. He walks the walk, all right, but he talks way too much of the talk, as do most of the other characters in the mannered and self-conscious series premiere. Although the marshal is a crack shot, he seems more interested in talking varmints to death than in fillin' 'em full of lead. …

… "Justified" as a whole really delivers, from the explosive pilot to a couple of other, less adrenaline-filled but no less superb episodes that add humor and nuanced storytelling to the mix. … Olyphant's iconic look and portrayal of Raylan Givens recalls every badass good guy in Western lore, and you find yourself liking him more every time he pulls the trigger. That alone would be enough to make "Justified" appointment television, but it's clear there's a lot more depth yet to be mined as Yost and his writers (who had bracelets made that say WWED - "What would Elmore do?") reinvent the modern-day lawman.

… the best new series premiere so far in 2010. … Attention to character, particularly among the criminals of the week, exemplify what's unique about "Justified." On most shows, these guest characters have pretty generic traits that amount to "bad" or "crazy." On "Justified," the antagonists are colorful and rooted in specificity. Next week, Givens tracks a folksy prison escapee who previously robbed a bank and was jailed when another robber died during the robbery under "foreseeable circumstances." … Violence erupts unexpectedly but so do comic moments. …

… It’s in that clash between Givens’ need for simple justice and the modern world’s more complicated rules that "Justified" finds much of its tension, and comedy. Givens is a character who originally appeared in several books by legendary crime author Elmore Leonard ("Out of Sight," "Get Shorty"), and "Justified" has the kind of muscular confidence and style that makes it both a worthy Leonard adaptation and a good match for FX …

… Raylan is a full-on cowboy, despite the fact that it’s 2010, and he is the mesmerizing hero of FX’s terrific new series, “Justified.’’…

… Credit some clever dialogue by Graham Yost and the riveting acting of guest star Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder, the ultra-nationalist leader (and former best friend of Raylan) for keeping this from becoming a two-dimensional morality play. …

… a wonderfully old-fashioned drama … Olyphant delivers an unabashed star turn in this one. … distinguished by a wry sense of humor -- characteristic of Leonard's work -- that permeates the three episodes made available. …

I saw the first 2 episodes and agree it's pretty darn awesome. FX again proves a show with good writing and a soul is what makes a great show. The big 4 networks can really learn a thing or two from them, especially NBC.

Watch "Southland" at 9pm on TNT (I'm on central time). That show deserves some love. Great first season, and the second season is holding up well. Anyway, this is my strategy. Lost, to Southland, to Justified.

Read Get Shorty and Ryan's Rules (or Stick I think) Both were simple and predictable books. I don't understand the fascination with his writing. <p><p>Now the movies, I have enjoyed. So I will give this a try.

Ladies and gentlemen, the elephants have entered the room. Good to know I'll have two great shows to watch tonight. So Herc, you think this is the best cop show since The Wire? So it's also better than The Shield? Interesting. I find that hard to believe, but I'll be watching!

I hope so, though FX doesn't seem like putting their shows online (though, as most of the cast will say, Its Always Sunny exploded in popularity as soon as fx let hulu have it) . Though Damages was on Hulu it's first two seasons, Sons of Anarchy too. So maybe they just pull their shows from hulu after they've become popular? I just know I could never see the Shield on Hulu and this season Damages has been notably absent.

Shane Vendrell was one of the greatest tragic figures on TV. He was destroyed by his relationship with Vic Mackey and his own stupidity. Vic should have looked after Shane better because Shane was like a big vicious dog on a chain, but he was Vic's big dog. In a way he was almost innocent because of his stupidity and his dependence on Vic for a moral center. Having said that, am I looking forward to seeing Walter Goggins again? HELL YES!

I really hope that Goggins character hangs around the whole series. Im not sure how theyl do that being their enemies straight from the start. i love olyphant but goggins is why im tuning in tonight. i havent seen reviews this good across the board for a show in a long time.

Already set on the DVR.<p>What's up with the Washington Post? They said "The Pacific" and now "Justified" are just ok. If it was Tom Schales who wrote those reviews, maybe it's time for the guy to retire.-----later-----m

Olyphant rocks. Been waiting on this for some time. Got a little confused with the Seagal show's title, but hoping this is awesome. FX does some great drama for sure. Miss the shield.
Can't wait for Sheriff Bullock to kick some ass.

Not only Treme, but Boardwalk Empire, too, from one of the writers from The Sopranos. Here's previews of both in one spot: http://defamer.gawker.co m/5494878/hbo-is-going-to-be-awe some-all-over-again .HBO has had some missteps (god-damn Deadwood left hanging in the wind), but they are still king in my book. For those keeping score, I'd put FX at a strong second, but watch out, AMC is coming up fast on the outside!

According to the previews, Boyd and his Nazi gang are in future episodes, so looks like there's an arc. While I was watching Boyd, I was thinking he'd make such a good villian for the show I was hoping they didn't kill him off.

and I'm dead serious about this. A local "gang" raided an abandoned, foreclosed home right across from me. It took all the energy I had not to pour gas all over their SUV while they were inside and light the fucker up. But I got their license plate instead. Wait, maybe I wasn't clear on that. I actually HAVE their physical license plate. On a shelf. In my kitchen.

I liked it. Very glad to see Cletus Van Damme will live to see another episode.<br><br>Along with Breaking Bad returning this Sunday, Damages and Lost in full swing, the real TV season has finally begun.

Well-done. Saw Elmore Leonard this weekend and he says that he's seen the first three eps and that he likes it. Well, Leonard, me, too.<p>And to the dude who doesn't understand the fascination with Leonard's writing, what can I say? I guess a Grand Master who's been doing his thing for fifty-seven years whose every book is a best seller and who writes some of the best dialogue in the world ain't for everybody.

I knew nothing about this before watching, except that Olyphant was in it. When Goggins showed up I thought "jesus this HAS to turn out amazingly"...but it was just...ok. Maybe the next eps will show me why it's "the best current show not called Mad Men", but so far I'm drawing a blank.

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Givens seethes quietly, not as quietly as Bullock, but there's more depth to this character and it feels like we've only brushed the surface. Almost all the characters just right out of the gate, in that way it's like Modern Family :)

when Givens slammed that punk Nazi's teeth into the steering wheel? I must be sick, but that was a high point in an already awesome trailer. I'm pissed I missed the pilot... I'm trying to find it online now but looks like I may have to buy it from iTunes. This definitely looks like a must-watch series.

When Boyd asks Raylan if he really would shoot him, and Raylan says something like "if you make me draw, I'll put you down"; that was just awesome how Olyphant delivered that. The ending was killer. He tells his ex the story about Tommy Bucks, and she tells him your the angriest person I know. Tremendous. The music was really well done.

Justified, Deadwood, Sunny in Philly, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Rome, Weeds, Californication, Friday Night Lights, etc., etc. All of these are infinitely more creative, edgy, important, intelligent than anything running at the local megaplex. And on the horizon: Treme, AGoT, Boardwalk Empire. Look at some of the names associated with these projects - Scorsese, Peter Berg, Elmore Leonard, et al. What the fuck is going on with the film divisions of the major studios? For christsakes, can they not think of ANYTHING that isn't called "A modern reboot of ______"? I never would have thought 15 years ago when Indy film was entering its heyday, Spielberg and Lucas were still relevant and the best thing TV had going was Seinfeld and the Simpsons, that this day would ever come. But lo and behold, TV is the current king of media. What has changed structurally in Hollywood that has caused this shift in artistic talent from the silver screen to the boob tube?

As a father of 3 young children who rarely makes it out to the movies anymore, I'm all for this trend. I ain't gonna question it or try to figure it out, I'm just gonna (quite literally) sit back and reap the benefits... :)

and I was not disappointed! It's been a long time since a pilot episode has hit me more perfectly than JUSTIFIED. Tweaks could be made, of course, but if they changed nothing it would still be one of the best shows of the season. Olyphant has never been a more controlled, confident badass. This has a season pass.

I went into this show with too much hype I guess. Goggins was amazing, his acting is even better than his work on the Shield. But come on, the post put this on the same plane as The Wire and by implication, better than The Shield, Homicide, Prime Suspect, The Job, etc. It is not. It is a very slick production with good acting. It is entertaining, but hardly monumental TV.
One thing that they need to change on the show is what I call raconteurism: someone asks a simple question and then the other person rambles off a large portion of their life story as their reply. Hopefully, that is just a by-product of this being a pilot. Also, when Bullock, I mean Raylan, says he never thought of himself as an angry man and then his wife says he hides it well...they are playing it dead straight. Obviously they weren't watching the show. She's saying this about the guy who just broke into her house and sat in the dark in her living room drinking a beer while she and her husband were sleeping upstairs.
I do like the subtle vein of humor in the show. The teaser at the end looked like they do understand the show works best as half comedy and I mean that in a good way. As long as the show doesn't take itself too seriously, I can keep watching this for a while.

The enjoyment I've gotten out of watching seasons upon seasons of good TV... LOST, THE WIRE, THE SHIELD, NIP/TUCK, 24, TRUE BLOOD, ANGEL, BUFFY, SUPERNATURAL, EAST BOUND AND DOWN, BSG, FRINGE, FIREFLY, and on and on.... is MUCH greater than the enjoyment I've gotten out of movies in the past few years. Plus, there's a ton of shows that I've neglected... Mad Men, Deadwood, Carnivale, Rome, Californication... that I need to catch up with soon. Good times.